Burlap and industrial sealing compound are staples of Arthur Dial’s assemblage paintings. Unlike the wildly textured backgrounds of his brother Thornton Dial’s work, Arthur Dial tends toward a flat, single-hued background. Recognizably figurative, the subjects in Dial’s pieces are often composed of burlap or carpet, with features of industrial sealing compound and enamel paint. Dial’s work references social observations and biblical narrative.
Arthur Dial is the brother of Thornton Dial who is regarded as the patriarch of a family of accomplished artists including Arthur’s niece Mattie; nephews Richard and Thornton Jr.; and cousin Ronald Lockett.
